Youth Outreach Worker

JOB OPPORTUNITY: Youth Outreach Worker

**Youth Outreach Worker **Competition #85-22

**Download PDF of Job posting here**

About this Role

Directions Youth Services is a division of Family Services of Greater Vancouver (FSGV), which for more than 90 years has provided a variety of essential resources for children, families and individuals in the Greater Vancouver community. We believe in the resiliency of Vancouver’s youth who are at-risk, homeless, and street-involved. We assist youth under the age of 25 to get counselling for trauma, mental health or substance issues. Our teams strive to create spaces and build connections with youth who are facing challenges of street life, substance use, mental health concerns, and disconnection from their communities. Directions inclusive programs of shelter and drop-in, safe houses and other unique programs are committed to being a community leader in harm reduction work and fostering low-barrier spaces where all youth are welcome.

Working within the mission, vision, values and person-centered philosophy of the Agency, the Outreach program works to promote safer, healthier alternatives for youth who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The focus is to promote awareness of and connect youth to appropriate services and resources to reduce the harm in their lives. The program focuses support in the areas of the west end, downtown south and downtown east side areas of Vancouver. This position consists of working with a variety of at risk, homeless and street entrenched youth 24 years and under (prioritizing youth 18 and under) struggling with addiction, intellectual, emotional and social challenges, mental health issues, concurrent issues and sexual exploitation; it actively supports the Agency’s awareness and goals around diversity, inclusion justice and equity.

What we offer you:
**Benefits of working with us**:
Flexible scheduling

Starting at three weeks’ vacation for full time staff (pro-rated for part-time) and growing to more +

Three (3) paid household leave days a year

One paid Wellness Day a year

Paid sick days

Two and a half paid Agency days for full time staff (pro-rated for part-time)

Five paid days for education leave/year (pro-rated for part-time)

One paid Moving Day/year

Subsidized professional association annual dues (if applicable)

Possibility of remote work/ hybrid work

A work culture that values transparency, teamwork, learning, fairness and integrity

**Health and Welfare benefits**:
Generous group health/dental benefits after 3 months.

Three flex options for health/dental coverage depending on the coverage you need

Option of psychological/counselling services (up to $1500/year)

Employee Assistance Plan

Long Term Disability Plan

Group Life Insurance, Travel insurance, ++

**Pension**: Pension plan enrollment after 12 months

**Work Hours**: 35 hours/ week (4 day work week - Wednesday
- Saturday)

**Salary**: GS 9 Step 1- $48,921 annual salary

**Location**: 1138 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC

**Posting End Date**:Posting will remain open until filled

What you bring:

- Provide outreach to youth at all Directions Youth Services sites and areas where high-risk youth congregate in order to initiate contact, establish rapport, and build trusting, supportive, therapeutic relationships with street-involved and homeless youth, and link them with culturally appropriate and relevant services and resources
- Identify youth’s individual needs and provide support, encouragement, collaboration and education to youth in matters related to crisis intervention, harm reduction, conflict resolution, community resources, alcohol and drug information, and advocacy with the intention of connecting youth to services.
- Work closely and collaboratively with all of Directions Youth Services, other community agencies, and government ministries in the development of youth case management plans, using best practices.
- Work independently in pairs in the community, responding to emerging needs and crises and prioritizing tasks as they arise.

**Education, Training, Experience**
- Two years’ post-secondary course/diploma in social work or youth care/certificate in related field
- Minimum 2 years’ experience working with high-risk youth
- Experience with adolescent development and issues involving sexually exploited youth, mental health, drug and alcohol misuse, poverty and concurrent issues
- Lived experience is considered an asset
- A combination of education/experience can be considered

**Knowledge, Skills, Abilities**
- Knowledge of community, social, and health resources
- Knowledge of the systemic issues that affect low income and marginalized people, and the impact of intergenerational trauma cause by colonization, integration and assimilation.
- Knowledge of substance misuse, mental health, issues that may affect sexually exploited youth, and knowledge and belief in the Harm Reduction model.
- Ability to deal effectively with conflict s